The hottest Personal Growth Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

When life is a metaphor

SPARC '24 JC Blog • 199 implied HN points • 27 Aug 24
🚌 Education Personal Growth
  1. Stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to personal growth. Trying new activities and meeting different people helps you learn more about yourself.
  2. Learning can happen in unexpected ways. Sometimes, you realize you've grown just by reflecting on your experiences rather than actively studying something new.
  3. Creating a supportive social group can inspire creativity and curiosity. Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals makes it easier to explore new ideas and develop your passions.

The time, life and brain-space-saving power of a uniform

The Shift With Sam Baker • 2615 implied HN points • 04 Apr 24
🪞 Fashion & Beauty Personal Growth
  1. Having a uniform can save time, mental energy, and stress when getting dressed every day.
  2. A uniform can simplify your wardrobe choices and help you feel comfortable and confident in your clothing.
  3. Adopting a uniform can lead to a sense of liberation from the pressure of constantly changing outfits and allow for a more streamlined and efficient life.

The Patient

Sensible Medicine • 4088 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Identifying as a patient can sometimes overshadow your whole identity, and it's crucial to remember you are more than just the patient label.
  2. Being seen as a 'Patient' by others can affect how they interact with you, sometimes diminishing your identity beyond your health status.
  3. Despite the challenges of being defined by your health struggles, it's possible to regain aspects of your identity and redefine yourself beyond the patient role.

When I find myself in times of trouble, mother math comes to me

The Intrinsic Perspective • 9701 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
📖 Philosophy Personal Growth
  1. Life has ups and downs, and problems often come in clusters. It's normal to feel overwhelmed when things go wrong.
  2. When you're at a low point, remember that life is like a rollercoaster with many twists and turns. Things often improve after tough times.
  3. Statistically, when you feel at your worst, it might actually be the moment before things start to get better. Hang in there!

Dreaming About Going Back to the Land? I Did It.

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 9993 implied HN points • 25 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. Living on a farm brings a deep understanding of nature's realities. It's a reminder that not everything can be controlled, like waiting for hens to lay eggs.
  2. The transition from city life to a rural lifestyle can be challenging and unexpected. It often requires tough decisions, like dealing with the life and death of animals.
  3. Nature teaches valuable life lessons that many people might overlook in a digital age. Embracing these lessons can lead to personal growth and a reevaluation of what really matters in life.
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10 Things to Remember as a New Year Begins

The Algorithmic Bridge • 509 implied HN points • 02 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. Aim for a happy home and close relationships as the heart of a good life. Investing in warmth and belonging gives everyday meaning.
  2. Love and live your life as it is—notice small beauties and treat each day as a fresh canvas. Choosing curiosity and creativity over perfection helps you find joy in simple moments.
  3. Keep your paths open and stay resilient because life keeps offering new chances. Reframing setbacks and renewing your perspective makes it easier to feel alive again.

What’s Missing?

Remarkable People • 759 implied HN points • 27 Jun 24
🚌 Education Personal Growth
  1. Asking 'What's missing?' helps you see where improvements can be made. It's a great question to avoid mistakes and think critically about any situation.
  2. Learning from experienced and remarkable people can inspire new ideas. Their stories can guide you in your own journey and help you grow.
  3. Commencement speeches often get forgotten, but focusing on one key message can make it memorable. Simplifying your takeaways can create a lasting impact.

Motivation 101 by Guy Kawasaki

Remarkable People • 519 implied HN points • 17 Jul 24
🚌 Education Personal Growth
  1. What really matters is that you find something that motivates you, no matter what it is. It doesn't have to be a big or noble goal; any drive can lead to success.
  2. Your personal experiences can shape what inspires you. For example, wanting a better car can be just as motivating as wanting to change the world.
  3. Don't stress too much about the nature of your motivations. What's important is that you are motivated to work hard and strive for your goals.

Your Friends are Your Destiny

In My Tribe • 683 implied HN points • 03 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. Your friends shape who you become. If they are positive influences, you'll likely be positive too.
  2. Hanging out with a diverse group of friends can make your life richer and more interesting.
  3. Creating connections among friends can lead to lasting relationships and happy lives, so it's good to encourage friendship.

Why solitude isn't optional

The Stoic Journal • 223 implied HN points • 21 Jan 26
📖 Philosophy Personal Growth
  1. Solitude lets you think without performing, so your thoughts can be honest and unfinished.
  2. Private practices like journaling and morning reflection are essential for self-knowledge and real progress.
  3. Real solitude means uninterrupted aloneness (no phones or watchers), and it’s a necessity, not a luxury.

My Art of Accomplishment Retreat

Erik Torenberg's Thoughts • 468 implied HN points • 23 Dec 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Change happens by feeling and moving emotions, not by blocking them; noticing and questioning the inner critic as separate from you weakens its power.
  2. Avoiding painful feelings makes you recreate the same problems and becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy; inviting fear or shame in and feeling it through lets the pattern stop.
  3. Long-term change comes from self-compassion, speaking your truth, and clear boundaries rather than shame or pure willpower, and regular practice plus community support makes progress durable.

What I'm Thankful For

Freddie deBoer • 10643 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. Being thankful for loved ones is essential. Family and friends provide support in tough times.
  2. Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday because it focuses on gratitude without the stress of gift-giving. It’s a time to relax and enjoy good food and company.
  3. Mental health medications can be life-saving. They have helped many people rebuild their lives, despite some negative opinions about them.

How This Writer Killed His Former Self (Drugs, Jail and Student Loan)​ and Totally Transformed His Life

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 799 implied HN points • 18 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. Accepting your current situation is the first step to real change. Acknowledging where you are right now helps you figure out what to do next.
  2. Reading and learning can change your life. Putting in the effort to improve yourself opens up new opportunities.
  3. Hard work is necessary for success, but luck plays a role too. By working hard, you create chances for unexpected good things to happen.

Ancient Wisdom: At 96, I Still Live a Great Life

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2898 implied HN points • 27 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. Living a great life is possible even in old age, and embracing modern medicine can help. Jack still enjoys life despite physical challenges.
  2. Wisdom remains consistent over time; honesty and respect towards others are fundamental values that should be upheld regardless of age.
  3. Hard work is important and was instilled from a young age through various jobs, helping build character and resilience.

Il faut des discussions difficiles

L'Atelier Galita • 59 implied HN points • 06 Oct 24
💼 Business Personal Growth
  1. Having tough conversations is important for personal success. The more difficult discussions you engage in, the more you can grow.
  2. Making good career decisions often comes with challenges. It's not always an easy path, but it can lead to greater autonomy.
  3. Growth and success are tied to your willingness to face uncomfortable topics. Embracing these conversations can lead you to better opportunities.

Why Taylor Swift is Good for Your Health

Are You Okay? • 2496 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Taylor Swift's impact is not just about her music or fame, but her ability to connect with people on a deep emotional level, reminding them of their humanity.
  2. Facing and exploring past emotions and experiences, even those from teenage years, can be crucial for personal growth and well-being.
  3. Practicing self-compassion, accepting imperfections, and seeking help are essential steps towards a healthier and more authentic life.

Cruel to be kind

Disaffected Newsletter • 1438 implied HN points • 30 Apr 24
📖 Philosophy Personal Growth
  1. Sometimes people need to face pain or harsh truths to make real changes in their lives. Hitting rock bottom can help someone start fresh.
  2. It's okay to feel conflicted about wanting others to experience hardship. That struggle can lead to deeper understanding and personal growth.
  3. Facing difficult realities, like unhealthy relationships or addiction, can lead to positive transformation. Growing through pain often brings clarity and strength.

Granted: The case for slow replies, and insights on facing fear and finding hope

Granted • 6149 implied HN points • 01 Jul 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Weekends and holidays are for rejoicing, not just for recovering from burnout.
  2. Anonymous gestures of hope, psychology of anxiety overcoming, and impact of daily interactions are key to finding hope and facing fears.
  3. Slow email replies do not indicate lack of care; it's often a result of overwhelming work demands in an 'always on' culture.

Impersonating Ourselves

The Corners by Nadia Bolz-Weber • 5916 implied HN points • 25 Sep 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Personal Growth
  1. Recognize and accept the changes in yourself over time, don't cling to previous versions of who you were.
  2. Embrace living 'off-grind' by stepping away from constant striving and self-reflection at a fast pace.
  3. Allow yourself the freedom to discover new passions and interests, even if they surprise you or differ from your past self.

Odds and ends

Disaffected Newsletter • 1418 implied HN points • 24 Apr 24
🎙 Podcasts Personal Growth
  1. Many fans of content creators develop a strong emotional connection and may feel betrayed if they disagree on issues. It's important to recognize this tendency and keep your reactions in check.
  2. Younger generations often struggle with basic writing skills, making it harder for them to communicate clearly. This gap shows how education has changed over time.
  3. Copyright law is often misunderstood, especially with platforms like YouTube enforcing their own rules. Many people don’t realize that fair use allows for commentary and critique without violating copyright.

True Strength

The Stoic Journal • 86 implied HN points • 10 Feb 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Real strength is quiet: it looks like responding to anger with patience, insult with understanding, and aggression with calm.
  2. Gentleness and listening persuade people more than shouting; treating someone with respect reveals their dignity and opens them to change.
  3. Not attacking back protects your character and shows true power under control. The strongest people don't need to prove their toughness.

If at first you don't succeed

Disaffected Newsletter • 1858 implied HN points • 24 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. It's okay to seek help when struggling with mental health. Sometimes, taking medication like an SSRI can really make a difference.
  2. Experiencing tough times like despair and insomnia is really hard, but it's important to keep trying to find solutions.
  3. Getting back to feeling better might take time, but small improvements can lead to being able to do everyday tasks again.

Moving Beyond the Bumble Brag

Seven Senses • 699 implied HN points • 15 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. It's important to share your achievements and talents. Hiding them can stop others from benefiting from your skills.
  2. Self-promotion should be seen as a way of showing respect for yourself and your work. It’s not about being boastful.
  3. Being too modest doesn't help anyone. Everyone deserves to shine and be recognized for their hard work.

The Black Dog

Disaffected Newsletter • 2957 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Personal Growth
  1. Depression can hit hard and make everyday tasks very difficult, like eating and sleeping.
  2. It's okay to be open about struggles with mental health, even for those who discuss it publicly.
  3. Despite tough times, there is hope that things will improve eventually and new ideas will come.

Minda Honey Tells Us

Cheryl Strayed • 4933 implied HN points • 06 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. Don't be afraid to show your emotions and allow yourself to cry to process feelings.
  2. Small habits like flossing can make a big difference in your health and well-being.
  3. Don't downplay your achievements and be proud of your work to put yourself in the running for opportunities.

Retrograde rocket

Austin Kleon • 3437 implied HN points • 15 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. Owls are fascinating creatures, and it's nice to enjoy their presence, especially during the season. There's a book that shares beautiful stories about an orphaned owl that might be worth checking out.
  2. Getting better at drawing can be a fun challenge, and there are helpful books for beginners. It's great to engage with art and connect with others who share the same interest.
  3. It's important to carve out time for your creative hobbies, especially during busy holidays. Taking a moment to reflect on your art practice can really help keep your passion alive.

Will nobody save the world?

Neckar’s Notes • 222 implied HN points • 08 Jan 26
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Personal Growth
  1. Relying on a single hero or ego-driven collective to "save the world" is probably a misconception, since the same ego that made the problems can't easily fix them.
  2. Opening to feeling and giving loving, attentive presence matters more than clever fixes; emotional work and connection change how we relate to the world.
  3. Big crises can be catalysts for change, and by anchoring in gratitude, compassion, and small healing acts we create space for wiser, collective transformation.

A love of life (or lack thereof)

Subtle Digressions • 599 implied HN points • 01 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. As we grow older, we often lose the excitement and dreams we had when we were younger. Life becomes more practical and less about following our passions.
  2. It's important to give ourselves permission to be creative and to fail. We often hold back because we worry about how our work will be judged.
  3. Being honest with ourselves and others is key to finding joy and meaning in life. When we stop pretending and show our true selves, we can reconnect with what we love.

How to Have a Happy Retirement

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1938 implied HN points • 13 Jul 25
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. Being alone is something retirees need to accept and plan for. It's important to fill your day with enjoyable activities to avoid feeling lonely.
  2. Retirement can feel weird and purposeless at first. It's normal to wonder what each day will look like after leaving work.
  3. Thinking about what to do in retirement is just as important as financial planning. Having a plan for your days can help make retirement fulfilling.

What Valentin Bunea Learned Writing Every Day for the Last 10 Years

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 559 implied HN points • 05 Jun 24
📚 Literature Personal Growth
  1. Waking up early can boost creativity. Many people, like Valentin, find that they think better in the morning, so he wakes up at 5 AM to write.
  2. You can't please everyone with your writing. It's essential to stay true to your voice, even if some people disagree with your ideas.
  3. Daily practice in writing leads to improvement. Valentin learned that writing regularly helped him overcome his fears and build a strong love for writing.

An open letter to 56 people I know

Sasha's 'Newsletter' • 4473 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Personal Growth
  1. It's important to recognize and appreciate the goodness in yourself, even if it's hard to see. Everyone has value, and it's essential to remind ourselves of that.
  2. Friendship can deeply impact our lives, providing support during tough times and helping us grow. A genuine connection can make us feel normal and understood.
  3. We often admire others for their unique talents and perspectives, which might inspire us to reflect on our strengths and insecurities. It's great to have people in our lives who challenge and motivate us.

The Father Wound

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 1198 implied HN points • 27 Mar 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Personal Growth
  1. The post discusses the concept of 'The Father Wound' and its impact on individuals, particularly on the Heroine's Journey.
  2. Dr. Sharon Blackie delves into the exploration of deep psychological themes and narratives in her writing.
  3. This specific post is only accessible to paid subscribers, showcasing exclusive content for those who have subscribed to the newsletter.